The trouble with dating Bea Alonzo

EDWARD Mendez, Megan Young, Zanjoe Marudo and Mercedes Cabral in “Hiyas”

Zanjoe Marudo says the hardest part of dating actress Bea Alonzo is coping with her work schedule.

Bea is in Vienna working on the John D. Lazatin romantic comedy, “What I Did For Love,” with John Lloyd Cruz. “When she comes home, I’ll be in Baguio for another project,” Zanjoe says. “She is flying to Barcelona next and will be gone when I get back to Manila.”

He adds: “Before she left, she made me promise to always have time to talk with her. She said she still wants to be part of my daily routine. I hate the feeling of missing someone. I get temperamental. I miss looking at her beautiful face.”

Being with Bea has taught him to be more expressive, the actor says. “I used to be uncomfortable about that. I’ve become more demonstrative now.”

Zanjoe sat down with a group of entertainment writers recently talk about his latest TV project, “Precious Hearts Romances Presents Hiyas,” about a tribal warrior named Silang.

You were last seen on TV in the adult drama “Kristine.” Which role is more daring?

I show more skin in this project than I did in “Kristine.” Silang lives in the woods; it’s normal for him to be wearing just a loin cloth.

What is it like working with Megan Young?

She’s very professional, comes to the set prepared. She was doing another TV show while we worked on this one, but she never complained. I like working with people like her.

You finished shooting “Hiyas” last year. Do you feel bad about the delayed airing?

I’m glad that it’s finally here. Let me focus on that.

Mercedes, who is now a GMA 7 talent, was very vocal about her disappointment. She thought the project had been shelved.

I understand how she felt. She’s known for her indie movies and this is her first big mainstream project, so she’s excited about it.

(“Hiyas” airs weekday afternoons after “PBB Teen Edition 4 Uber” on ABS-CBN)